clinch

[klinch]

verb (used with object)

1. to settle (a matter) decisively.

   After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.

   Synonyms: confirm, conclude, close, secure, cinch

2. to secure (a nail, screw, etc.) in position by beating down the protruding point.

   He drove the nails through the board and clinched the points flat with a hammer.

3. to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.

4. Nautical.,  to fasten by a clinch.

verb (used without object)

1. Boxing.,  to engage in a clinch.

   The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.

2. Slang.,  to embrace, especially passionately.

3. (of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.

noun

1. the act of clinching.

2. Boxing.,  an act or instance of one or both boxers holding the other about the arms or body in order to prevent or hinder the opponent's punches.

3. Slang.,  a passionate embrace.

4. a clinched nail or fastening.

5. the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.

6. a knot or bend in which a bight or eye is made by making a loop or turn in the rope and seizing the end to the standing part.

7. Archaic.,  a pun.

clinch

/ klɪntʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over

2. (tr) to hold together in such a manner

   to clinch the corners of the frame

3. (tr) to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way

4. (tr) nautical to fasten by means of a clinch

5. (intr) to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling

noun

1. the act of clinching

2. 1. a nail with its point bent over

   2. the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over

3. boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc

4. slang,  a lovers' embrace

5. nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.

Other Word Forms

• clinchingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinch¹

First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinch¹

C16: variant of _clench

Example Sentences

The pair had a curt handshake after Townsend clinched victory before Latvian Ostapenko made a comment at the net.

From BBC

Mission Viejo clinched the win when Santa Margarita could not complete a pass on fourth down from the eight-yard line with 26 seconds left.

From Los Angeles Times

But the opportunity to develop his game with the Premier League champions and learn from Van Dijk, who he has previously called his inspiration, appears to have helped clinch the move.

From BBC

With five runs needed to win, Graham Clark hits a six off the final delivery for Northern Superchargers to clinch a dramatic victory against Southern Brave in The Hundred.

From BBC

By the end of Wednesday night, they could have clinched their second in three months.

From BBC

Related Words

• assure 
• cap 
• conclude 
• decide 
• seal